The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle reports Buffalo Bills S Chad Cota could wind up as a key contributor for the Bills this year or he could be cut during training camp. Whether or not he makes it with the team will depend on how he plans and how the competition responds during training camp.

John Clayton for ESPN.com reports the Buffalo Bills have agreed to a deal with free agent S Chad Cota (Rams). The agreement is a one-year deal worth $680,000 with a $25,000 signing bonus. Cota will count only $475,000 against the Bills’ salary cap.

Updating Monday's story, free agent S Chad Cota (Colts) worked out for the San Francisco 49ers Tuesday. While there was no immediate word from the team on a signing, Cota will undergo a physical by team doctors Wednesday.

Jim Thomas, of the Post-Dispatch, reports for the Sporting News an impressive performance in mini-camp by rookie S Steve Bellisari apparently has the St. Louis Rams cooling on free agent S Chad Cota (Colts). There are also doubts whether Cota can run well enough to play in defensive coordinator Lovie Smith's defensive scheme.

The Tenneseean reports free agent S Eric Brown (Broncos) became the latest in a group of five free agent safeties to visit with the Tennessee Titans when he stopped by Friday. ''Eric loved his visit and he'd love to be there, and I think they've now seen all the guys they want to see,'' agent Gene Burrough said. ''They told him they'd like to sign two safeties and they'll try and decide by Monday or Tuesday what they're going to do.'' The others that have visited are, Victor Green (Jets), Chad Cota (Colts), Lance Schulters (49ers) and Tony Parrish (Bears). The team is expected to visit with S Shaun Williams (Giants) next week.

Updating earlier stories, 49ers.com reports the San Francisco 49ers will visit with free agent safeties Chad Cota (Colts) and Tony Parrish (Bears) on Thursday. “We have not given up on our quest, on our desire to bring Lance Schulters back to the 49ers,” said GM Terry Donahue. “At the same time we have to realize that any team can make an offer to Lance that will take him away from us.”

Mike Chappell reports for the Indianapolis Star all five Indianapolis Colts players went unpicked in Monday's expansion draft. As previously reported, TE Ken Dilger has already been told he will be a salary cap victim. Dilger was shocked the team did not approach him to renegotiate his contract. Team President Bill Polian did not rule out the two sides reuniting at some point during the off-season. Similar scenarios probably await CB Jeff Burris ($6.6 million against the cap), S Chad Cota (approximately $3.8 million) and DT Mike Wells ($1.25 million). Polian added DT Ellis Johnson would have to redo his contract to stay with the team.

The Indianapolis Star reports the Indianapolis Colts complete expansion list is: TE Ken Dilger and CB Jeff Burris, both previously reported and DTs Ellis Johnson and Mike Wells and S Chad Cota. Team president Bill Polian made the announcement Thursday. The five would cost more than $21 million against the salary cap next season.

The Indianapolis Star reports Indianapolis Colts S Chad Cota played through his nose injury in Sunday’s game. Cota suffered the injury last week and has undergone minor plastic surgery, which included 35 stitches, on his nose. Cota played with a protective mask on his face and a shield attached to his face mask. He said he was hesitant to get in the action at first, but felt confident after the first tackle. Cota had seven tackles Sunday.

The Indy Star reports Indianapolis Colts S Chad Cota played the entire second half after sustaining a broken nose while tackling Miami's RB Travis Minor late in the second quarter. He finished with a team-high 12 tackles.

The Indianapolis Star reports Indianapolis Colts S Chad Cota agreed to have his 2001 base salary of $2.25 million lowered to $500,000. He was compensated with a guaranteed signing bonus of $1.75 million. While Cota will make the same amount in 2001, the restructured deal saved the team about $1.1 million under the cap.

Mike Chappell reports for the Indianapolis Star Colts SS Chad Cota is spending time at the team's mini-camp mentoring rookie S Idrees Bashir. "Every time we hit the sidelines," said Bashir, the team's second-round draft pick, "I'm asking, 'Chad, what about this, what about that and so on.'" Cota has played in 95 games with 65 starts. No other safery on the current roster has even played in an NFL game. "I've never had a group as young as this," DBs coach George Catavolos said Saturday morning. The Colts drafted three safeties, Bashir, Cory Bird and Jason Doering along with signing a batch of undrafted free agents. When Bashir stepped on the field for his first mini-camp drill, he did so as the starting free safety.

The Indianapolis Star's Mike Chappell reports despite having to fall back to "Plan B," the Indianapolis Colts feel they had a successful Saturday. The team helped its need at safety by drafting S Idrees Bashir in the second round. President Bill Polian ventured outside the draft by agreeing to terms on a two-year contract with veteran DT Christian Peter. The move helps plug a need on the defensive line. S Cory Bird was added later in the draft. Regarding day two of the draft, Polian said, "I think we're still looking for defense if we can find it." Bashir and Bird will be given an opportunity to join returning strong safety Chad Cota in the starting lineup. "It's been a successful day," Polian said.

According to Len Pasquarelli of SportsLine.com the Indianapolis Colts gave some thought to moving CB Jeff Burris to safety, but that plan in on hold for now. The team needs another starting safety to join Chad Cota in the lineup. "It's probably safe to say that one of our (starting safeties) will be someone not currently on the roster," coach Jim Mora said.

As a follow up to a story first reported yesterday, Len Pasquarelli of SportsLine.com reports the Indianapolis Colts seem to be showing the most interest in free agent S Keith Lyle, just released by the Rams. Lyle would be a good signing for the Colts and lining him up in the middle of the secondary with Chad Cota would provide the Colts a solid safety tandem. Pasquarelli did not report any interest from the Browns that was indicated in yesterday's story.

Mike Chappell reports for the Sporting News the Indianapolis Colts could have as many as five or six new starters on defense this season. Changes are expected at LDE (Shawn King), DT (Josh Williams or the team's first-round draft pick), MLB (Rob Morris), OLB (Marcus Washington), FS (a player who isn't on the roster) and perhaps CB (David Macklin). The team has been cautiously quiet in free agency so the first significant changes to the defense may come in the April NFL draft. After the draft the Colts will look to fill their remaining holes through the second wave of free agency. Of all their needs, safety may be the biggest. Only two safeties are currently on the roster, Chad Cota and Derek Fox. Cota can play either free safety or strong safety, which should make acquiring a complementary starter easier.

The Indianapolis Star/News reports Indianapolis Colts LB Dwight Hollier (shoulder) was kept out of contact at Thursday's practice, but has a good chance to start against Buffalo. It appears rookie DT Josh Williams (ankle) and WR E.G. Green (knee) will miss another game. SS Chad Cota, who suffered a concussion in last Sunday's loss, has been cleared to practice and play. LB Cornelius Bennett (broken right hand) will wear a cast to protect the injury.

Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Mora, during his Monday press conference, stated S Chad Cota (concussion) likely will be limited this week during practice but should be able to play. LB Cornelius Bennett (broken right hand) should also be okay.

The Indianapolis Star reports that the Colts, as they wrap up their two-week summer school, are aiming to be competing for the AFC East title in 1999. "We got an awful lot accomplished in these two weeks and overall, I don't think there is any question we're better," Colts coach Jim Mora said. The addition of speed and athletes to the roster has the Colts excited about their chances. Free Agent signings produced four projected defensive starters in DEs Chad Bratzke and Shawn King, LB Cornelius Bennett and S Chad Cota. The draft brought RB Edgerrin James, who will succeed Marshall Faulk, and Mike Peterson, who has a chance to start at weak-side linebacker. "We have closed the gap," Mora said of the Colts' status in the AFC East, "but I don't know how much." The team is still waiting for Edgerrin James to select an agent so they can start contract negotiations.

Mike Chappell reports in the Indianapolis Star the Colts introduced three of their four new defensive free agents to the press Monday. DE Chad Bratzke, LB Cornelius Bennett and S Chad Cota were at the news conference while DE Shawn King could not make the news conference due to travel difficulties. Bratzke signed a six-year $30 million contract including a $9 million signing bonus. Contrary to earlier reports the article said that Bennett signed a four-year deal although no other details were released.